The Unicorn's Summary: Further Up & Further In!
“The difference between the old Narnia and the new Narnia was like that. The new one was a deeper country: every rock and flower and blade of grass looked as if it meant more. I can't describe it any better than that: if you ever get there, you will know what I mean.
It was the Unicorn who summed up what everyone was feeling. He stamped his right fore-hoof on the ground and neighed and then cried:
‘I have come home at last! This is my real country! I belong here. This is the land I have been looking for all my life, though I never knew it till now. The reason why we loved the old Narnia is that it sometimes looked a little like this. Bree-hee-hee! Come further up, come further in!'"
Excerpt from CS. Lewis’ The Last Battle
We live in the tension between Jesus’ perfect future Kingdom and our present (less than perfect) world. At the end of CS Lewis’ Narnia series, he paints a picture of the New Heavens and the New Earth, to which we are headed. In “The Last Battle,” the true Narnians feel they’ve lost the battle against evil only to discover they are invited into “new Narnia,” an indescribably “deeper country.” All tears seem wiped away, and all brokenness seems undone. “Come further up, come further in!” Reading this passage, experiencing my lingering brokenness, I long to share this moment at Jesus’ return.
Lewis’ depiction implicitly invites the reader to move closer to Jesus, who is a foretaste of “new creation.” New creation is here now, even while we are also in this “creation,” with our pains, joys, and confusions. Allow me to extend this invitation to “come further up, come further in” to the life of the church, because the church is one primary place we experience this new creation. see Hebrews 10).
The New Testament describes the church as an outpost of our future restoration — represented by “Kingdom” language. We can move “further up and further in” now, through our local church, because it is there that Jesus planned for us to know his Father’s presence as well. That’s a complicated plan because we are imperfect people, but it’s his plan nonetheless.
This week, no matter who you are, you are invited further up and further into the life of Christ here at The Vine:
Have you attended for a while, or just arrived?
We’re glad you are here. Come to “Know The Vine” - a Membership Gathering on Saturday, October 18th to learn about our story, and the Anglican tradition and rhythms we participate in, and plenty of space for interaction.
Want to lean into relationships here?
RSVP for one of our Vine Groups that are still open. These seasonal groups are where iron sharpens iron, and how the Communion table extends into our homes and coffee shops.
Are you ready to take Ownership?
After worship on October 19th, we will hold our annual meeting. Be there if at all possible, whether you are Vine “veterans” or new last Sunday. At our meeting, we will discuss vision, elect our new Vestry member, and discuss our planning for the future as well as celebrate the past.
(Anyone can also take ownership by expressing interest in serving here, and filling out our Membership Form here.)
Are you called to serve in a greater leadership capacity?
Grab some time with me or Hannah+ to explore and discern this sense of calling. What are you passionate about? Are you a future Vestry member, leadership team member or “spark plug” (ie. leader/gatherer), or clergy? Our belief is that the Lord calls within community, so let’s discern together.
However the Lord might be moving you, let’s move towards Jesus together, in the spirit of Bree the Unicorn:
“Come further up, come further in!”
Rector Michael+